Blake McAfoos’ passport tells a narrative of journey—colourful stamps from Indonesia, Bali, Turkey, and Mexico mark his travels. However his current journey to Ghana left an indelible mark on his coronary heart.
In January, Blake joined a bunch of adventurous college students and fogeys on a multi-stop tour by way of Ghana, a West African nation wealthy in tradition and resilience.
Witnessing Resilience Amidst Challenges
In Accra, Blake visited casual settlements missing primary providers like clear water, waste administration, and electrical energy. He remembers, “An enormous river runs by way of this space, but it surely was dry season, so there was no water—solely a dry riverbed of trash.” Regardless of the hardships, he was struck by the heat and willpower of the folks. “Youngsters assist carry items on their heads, folks promote meals within the streets, and younger ladies are studying to make and promote cleaning soap,” he noticed.
His mom, Kerri McAfoos, co-chair of Alternative Worldwide’s Board of Governors, famous, “It was really subsistence residing: having what it is advisable keep alive, however no extra.”
A College That Modified His Perspective
In northern Ghana, Blake visited a faculty that redefined his understanding of training. “It didn’t appear to be a faculty. It was a construction with dust flooring and a tin roof that shook with the wind,” he described. Fifty kids crowded into small rooms, standing to greet their guests in English. When mud crammed the air, Blake stepped outdoors, reflecting on the distinction to his personal faculty in Denver. “I considered my faculty’s carpeted school rooms and purposeful desks,” he mentioned, gaining a deep appreciation for his personal academic alternatives and for the scholars’ resilience.
Throughout Ghana and different elements of the world, Alternative Worldwide companions with colleges similar to this one—working to broaden entry to high quality training in communities the place it’s wanted most.
A Future Impressed by Compassion
Blake’s journey to Ghana wasn’t only a journey expertise—it was a turning level. For years, he watched his mother, Kerri, dedicate herself to serving communities around the globe. Her dedication to increasing alternative and dignity by way of training and financial empowerment left a long-lasting impression. In Ghana, Blake noticed firsthand what that work appears like on the bottom—and the way deeply it issues.
As he prepares to graduate from Mullen Excessive College in Denver and embark on finding out in Barcelona earlier than attending the College of Miami, Blake carries with him extra than simply reminiscences. He carries a deepened sense of accountability—formed by the folks he met, the tales he heard, and the values instilled in him at residence.
For the McAfoos household, philanthropy isn’t only a custom—it’s a manner of being. And now, a brand new technology is able to carry it ahead.
